UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Afternoon,

Bought my girlfriend a 1.2 2003 Polo last year (she would never get insured on my S2000, nor would i let her drive it!!) and it now has got an EML light that has come on; however having tried my bluetooth OBDII reader it doesnt seem to want to read the code (or even connect to the ECU).

It shudders and shakes a bit once started up, its driveable but slight lack of the little power it has to start with! My first thoughts are coilpack, since i had a similar issue on my Pug 206 previously. Though after some Googling, apparently this engine is very prone to exhaust valve failures on cylinder 3? I had it booked in with Lincoln VW Specialists last week whilst i was away on a course, but she cancelled it last minute and took it to her local Vauxhall garage, who didnt even read the code, cleaned a filter and charged her £40!!! So naturally I am somewhat annoyed...

So i guess my questions are -

Is the 2003 model just before ODBII? Can i 'obtain' a copy of VCDS and read it with a USB - OBDII adapter either way?
Is there any other common issues to investigate?

I use a U281 code reader - it was about £13 from ebay and does most of the normal codes,although obviously if you can get VCDS it would be better.

Ah ok, maybe i need a specific VW one. I have ordered a USB - OBDII cable, and will download the freeware VCDS software and see what i can do

Hi Ben - yes would be much better if you can use vcds,but the 281 works pretty well for most faults,it has been really useful on our wee polo

bvs wrote:Hi Ben - yes would be much better if you can use vcds,but the 281 works pretty well for most faults,it has been really useful on our wee polo

my polo 06 reg is showing me error code 16524 and 16524 using same scanner ...what could be exact reason ???? can anyone help ???

Well, a few key strikes later and Google tells you that it is probably the Lambda probe B1 S2 - that is the probe after the cat converter. So, check if there is an associated fuse (doubt it as it probably does not have a heater), check for damage to the wiring - you will find a plastic enclosure mounted on the chassis close to that probe, open it up and you will find the plug and socket for that probe. Once you have checked that everything looks okay, buy a new probe - but save money and buy the correct one and not an aftermarket one that will fail soon!